#Lloyd Cadena fans share emotional tributes after YouTube star’s death

When a social-media star dies, their mourning fans do what comes naturally — they unleash their emotions on digital platforms.

Social-media personality Lloyd Cadena’s death at 26 was confirmed Friday via a heartbreaking Facebook post. The popular Filipino comedian and content creator had 3.1 million YouTube subscribers , 6.5 million Facebook friends and 1.4 million Twitter followers at the time of his passing.

No cause of death has been announced at this time — but with a following of that size it’s no surprise that online tribute posts are flooding the internet in the hours after his family’s announcement.

“Oh my god,” tweeted pop singer-actress Maris Racal to her 2.9 million followers. “Lloyd Cadena was such a joy to watch. Rest in peace. ?”

“Lloyd was one of the funniest, non-toxic, and humble YouTuber I’ve ever met,” Hong Kong YouTube star Richard Juan, who collaborated with Cadena on a video early in his career, posted on Twitter.

“I only met him and would see him at events but he was always so gracious and his joy would radiate,” fellow TV host and online entertainer Bianca Gonzalez tweeted. “My sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones. ? Rest in peace, Lloyd Cadena. ?”

Filipino comedian Mark Geronimo praised Cadena for being outspoken about causes he believed in on his many platforms.

“Before all the influencers, Lloyd Cadena was already existing,” Geronimo said. “LC really used his platform discussing and advocating social and political issues. It’s really sad. You will truly be missed — 2020 you are a bitch.”

“This is ??? darn you 2020!!!!” gaming video creator Eric Eruption Tai added via Facebook.

Filipino actress and parenting blogger Saab Magalona tweeted, “It really makes you think. We can be gone tomorrow. Are we living our best life? Are we loving our neighbors? Are we choosing kindness? I never met him but I’ve heard nothing but kind words about @LloydCadena. Gone too soon. May he rest in peace.”

One shared video featured comedian Mark Averilla (a k a Macoy Dubs) overcome with emotion as he encouraged fellow fans to “pray for his soul and his family.” That short clip has gone viral with more than 1 million views as of Friday afternoon.

YouTuber Madam Ely paid his respects via tweet, posting “I lost my best friend today” along with broken heart and crying face emojis.

Meanwhile, his family’s initial death announcement on Facebook has more than 1.4 million reactions, 199,000 comments and 649,000 shares.

“It is with a heavy heart and great sadness that we announce the untimely demise of our beloved brother Lloyd Cafe Cadena,” the family wrote. “May he be remembered for all the joy and laughter he shared with everyone. My family and I ask for your prayers, respect, and privacy during this time.”

The openly gay entertainer fondly nicknamed “Kween LC” was a trending topic on US and international Twitter upon news of his death. Cadena launched his YouTube channel in 2011, eventually becoming one of his homeland’s most popular vloggers, CNN Philippines reported.

Cadena’s passing is the latest in a string of young social-media star deaths, following 19-year-old Landon Clifford, star of YouTube’s “Cam & Fam,” who hanged himself in August after struggling with depression and drug addiction for years. Parenting vlogger Nicole Thea, 24, who was pregnant, died of a “massive heart attack” in July. Siya Kakkar, 16, a viral sensation with more than 2 million followers on TikTok, died by suicide in June. And Twitch star Byron Bernstein, 31, known as Reckful died in July after a struggle with mental health.